The quick escape of a stereotypically slow reptile from a shed fire is getting attention on social media. Leo, a female tortoise, tapped into her speedy side to flee flames that engulfed her backyard habitat in Fullerton after a heat lamp tipped over and caught fire.<\/p>\n
A video of Leo\u2019s escape shows the tortoise going into what her owners called \u201csport mode\u201d to get away from her burning shed.<\/p>\n
Hyeri Tom and her family, Leo\u2019s owners, were at a Super Bowl party on Sunday, Feb. 8, when an observant neighbor noticed the fire and put it out. When neighbors called her to tell her about the fire, her first thought was Leo. Initially, with Leo\u2019s habitat totally destroyed, the family feared the worst, but a neighbor found her tucked under a bush, much to everyone\u2019s relief.<\/p>\n
Later, Tom logged on to look at her security footage and realized Leo\u2019s escape had been caught on camera. Footage shows the tortoise scurrying away from the burning brown shed, which had a sign with her name on the outside. Tom shared the video on social media to show Leo\u2019s speedy escape, but also to bring awareness to the risks of heat lamps.<\/p>\n
@leothehomelesstort<\/a> <\/p>\n In all seriousness\u2014thankful beyond words for attentive neighbors who helped put out the fire. \ud83d\ude4f Leo is safe \u2764\ufe0f The heat lamp fell and ignited the substrate. Posting this as a warning to other tortoise owners: secure your heat lamps. This could\u2019ve ended very differently. Also, open to any advice on how to build her house safer. #turbo<\/a> #tortoisesoftiktok<\/a> #fire<\/a> <\/p>\n